According to the molecular formula of hydrochloric acid (HCl), two electrons are required—one from the hydrogen atom and seven from the chlorine atom. The NASB structure is more applicable to describing the electron distribution within individual atoms rather than the combination of atoms to form molecules.
The NASB structure, commonly referred to as the electron configuration, is a notation system that describes the distribution of electrons in an atom. It includes the Numerical, Azimuthal, Spin, and Magnetic Quantum Numbers, providing a comprehensive representation of an electron's location and orientation within an atom.
However, when considering hydrochloric acid (HCl), the focus shifts to the molecular formula, which indicates the chemical composition of the compound. HCl is composed of one hydrogen (H) atom and one chlorine (Cl) atom. Each hydrogen atom contributes one electron, and each chlorine atom contributes seven electrons, as it has an atomic number of 17. Therefore, to form the HCl molecule, a total of eight electrons are needed.